Interpreter services

Language interpreter services are available to patients at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.

When making your appointment please tell staff if you will need an interpreter for your visit and your preferred language. This will allow staff to arrange for an interpreter to be present when you have your treatment. If you visit the Hospital for an emergency, a telephone interpreter can be organised.

TIS National services for non-English speakers

You can also access immediate telephone interpreting services through TIS National Services by calling 131 450. Further information can be found on the TIS National website

Mrs Vicenzina Pereira first visited The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM) around 35 years ago at its old location in Elizabeth Street. After recently experiencing some pain in her bottom teeth, she started on a course of treatment with RDHM dentist Adam Evans.

Mrs Pereira arrived in Australia from Italy in 1964 and, though she can understand and speak some English, she prefers to use an interpreter for her specialist medical and hospital appointments so she can be certain there is no misunderstanding.

She has always been able to use an interpreter at the Dental Hospital, except for one time when the interpreter was running late.

“I had to get by without an interpreter at that appointment but I managed because the dentist opened her mouth wide when she spoke. It can be very difficult to understand people if they don’t open their mouths and speak clearly.”

Mrs Pereira said that she has had a number of health problems which has meant visits to different hospitals. She always makes use of hospital interpreter services and has found the interpreters very helpful at communicating complicated information.

You can access information on public dental services, a visitor's guide to RDHM and a guide to day surgery and other oral health guides on our translated guides and brochures page.